Can thermal paste replace thermal pads?

[razerg]

I have this GPU (sapphire HD4770 gddr5 512MB) that's collecting dust and didn't really work the last time I tried it (it doesn't even post with the GPU in the slot so i can't get into the BIOS), so because I don't have the pads that were on the vram could I replace them with a small dot of thermal paste? Here's a picture:

 

[DasHotShot]

I don't understand what you want to achieve here? If the card is broken what are you aiming for?

Thermal pads are simply there to conduct heat onto a heatsink, thermal paste has the same function with different properties obviously but the same end goal. Technically it doesn't matter which you use just so long as the paste is there to fill any small gap that needs to be filled for heat not to leak and temperatures to rise too high.

depending on how big the gap is you could use paste however it's main deployment is for CPU cooling as custom coolers only leave the tiniest gap between the block and cpu.

If the gap is too big you may find you need to apply too much paste and it might not stay in place and leak out to the sides which could lead to damage or the card simply not booting (as it seems to do anyway)

 

[razerg]

I'm trying to see if I missed anything, like a setting in BIOS, could it be that I need to disable the onboard GPU to make the discrete one work? I don't know how it got broken, one day I was booting with linux live usb and it worked perfectly then after a few days I tried that same thing when I installed windows and it wouldn't even post with the GPU installed. The entire time it was on a shelf so I don't think it could have got damaged anywhere.

 

[DasHotShot]

In most cases the damage occurs either during installation/removal or after long time operation under a bad PSU.

You shouldnt need to deactivate or activate any bios settings for it to work. I would try inserting the screen into the motherboard and using gpuz (and windows device manager) to see if the system picks up a discrete GPU.

If it doesn't and no additional PSU power is required to drive the GPU, it is dead unfortunately (however a card with its performance is VERY cheap to pick up these days)

 

[RobCrezz]

If they used pads, then youll need pads as paste likely wont fill the gap for the vram and VRMs.

 

[razerg]

Yes it is very cheap I can get a GTX460 for around $50 used, but that would require more power as I only have 380w (Antec EA380). I though that because my BIOS got reset I'd need to adjust some settings. It's probably dead then because it was used with a cheap 550w PSU for about two years, before I got the Antec one.

I would try inserting the screen into the motherboard and using gpuz (and windows device manager) to see if the system picks up a discrete GPU.

What do you mean by "screen"? Are there any threads here or tutorials on YT about that?

 

[DasHotShot]

Every motherboard (almost) has a port for your screen/monitor. That is what I meant.

If you are using a 380w PSU it is still enough to drive a 750Ti (model which doesnt need addition PSu plug). That is a card which would show you MOUNTAINS of more performance than a 460 or what you use now and will work in low power systems.

 

[DasHotShot]

Having just written all this, I don't know the TDP of your card however AMD has always been power thirsty...you also said system wont post when it is inserted...

1+1= I think the PSU may not be powerful enough to drive your system with that card inserted...?

EDIT: I just checked...the PSU you currently use isn't powerful enough for the card which is quite inefficient. I think the manufacturer recommends a 450watt unit as the card needs to be plugged into the PSU too...(try that if you forgot)

Pretty sure a 750Ti would work though

 

[razerg]

I know a lot of low TDP cards but I don't have the money, PC components are far more expensive where I live. It does have DVI and VGA port, but as I said it doesn't even post when I install it. Though I don't remember actually where I connected the screen to 😀
Will try that after I buy the pads, just in case. Thanks.

EDIT: Yes any card within ~110w range would work. The PSU can supply only one 6 pin power connector which is 75w (right?) and it draws around 75w from the slot? I just don't understand how it worked before with the linux live usb on the 380w PSU and now it won't

 

[RobCrezz]

btw, the picture you posted, they are the VRMs, not the vram. (VRMs get hot, vram doesnt get very hot)

 

[razerg]

btw, the picture you posted, they are the VRMs, not the vram. (VRMs get hot, vram doesnt get very hot)

Thanks, didn't know that